Background

India is one of the most critical countries in the world as we seek human advancement. Shifting the needle on most global indicators can only happen if there is progress made in India. India is amongst the biggest countries in the world for CIFF. The entirety of the CIFF’s portfolio is active in India, i.e. child health and development, girl capital, adolescence, child protection & climate change.

Main purpose of the role

As a recognised leader in your field, you will contribute to the development of cutting edge and evidence-based strategies and plans that ensure CIFF’s work across the Child Health & Development sector achieves transformational and lasting change. You will develop and manage a high-quality integrated portfolio of investments in India to deliver Child Health and Development sector priorities aligned to the Foundation Strategy and India Team plan, thereby ensuring that you use your expert knowledge and judgement to translate the functional vision into executable plans to meet the corporate objectives of the CIFF Board. It is a fast-paced and diverse role. Your contribution will be integral to supporting CIFF and its partners to deliver and inform the portfolio’s strategies.

Role’s responsibilities

Strategy & planning

• Technical contribution to strategy, vision and plan design and implementation.
• Prepare and present high-quality applicable analysis, research as required to inform strategic priorities and setting operational plans.
• Coordinate inputs from various stakeholders including Government, donor partners and implementing agencies to input into strategic priorities.

Programme development, delivery & performance

• Develop a pipeline of potential investments. with a value of more than USD 50 million.
• Conduct regular reviews of the progress and performance of investments to identify problems and delays, and work with partners to develop effective solutions (escalating to more senior colleagues for support and intervention, where required).
• In coordination with programme excellence team, with the advice of EME counterpart, identify and embed appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to all proposals and programmes.
• Lead the design of programmes, identification of appropriate grantees and commissioning of programmes for implementation in accordance with CIFF processes.
• Apply agreed due diligence and risk management protocols appropriately throughout the development and delivery of proposals and programmes, to ensure the interests and reputation of the Foundation are protected.
• Identify synergies and actively encourage integration across programmes. Facilitate linkages with complementary projects, proposing ways to overlay different interventions.
• Work as part of and with the India team, and with senior colleagues within the sector teams, to shape and implement plans for scaling up, replicating or leveraging additional support for successful programmes and initiatives, in accordance with Foundation priorities.
• Identify opportunities and options for improving processes, procedures and programme management approaches within (and beyond) the team, to support increased organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Work closely with members of the Finance and Legal team to coordinate the development of grant agreements, to forecast and process grant payments and to enable effective grant management and reporting within the organisation.
• Act as ‘Super-User’ for CIFF’s online grants management system (Fluxx) for the team, to ensure compliance to the corporate requirements for the child health and development team.
• Support the preparation of summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports, to ensure these are produced to a high-standard and in a timely fashion – which can often mean to high-quality in rapid timeframes.

Sector knowledge and profile-building

• Senior professional with expertise and proficiency in public health sector.
• Keep abreast of developments with development in sector themeswithin the WASH, NTD and international development sectors, establishing appropriate information gathering networks and channels to deepen professional knowledge and skills.
• As required (and under the direction of more senior colleagues), contribute to the development of thought leadership, PR, marketing and engagementadvocacy materials, to support CIFF’s ambitions to scale-up, mainstream and leverage additional support for its initiatives.
• Review relevant academic studies, policies, government schemes which may be effectively used and provide recommendations to address gaps and improvements.
• Represent CIFF at conferences, workshops, professional events.

Stakeholder and partner management

• Conduct rigorous research and evaluation of potential partners, using agreed corporate protocols and techniques, to assess their suitability and credentials for collaborating on CIFF initiatives.
• Apply CIFF’s agreed account management and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) disciplines and approaches in all dealings with programme partners and stakeholders, to ensure productive and professional relationships are maintained in a coordinated and strategic manner.
• Under direction of more senior colleagues, help to develop strategic partnerships to support adoption, replication, co- funding or scaling-up of CIFF programmes.
• With a variety of external audiences, act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF’s programmes and priority areas.
• Engage with and maintain open and constructive dialogue with relevant Government ministries and agencies and central and state levels to ensure effective programme implementation and sustainability of outcomes.

Membership of the team

• Provide coaching and mentoring support to colleagues, as required, to help build skills, confidence and capability areas, processes or procedures.

Requirements

Skills & Experience 

• Advanced understanding of and expertise in the field of public health.
• Demonstrable experience in analysis and due diligence; policy, planning and programme delivery, including field experience, all within the development sector.
• Experience in designing and implementing maternal and child health and nutrition programmes WASH and/or NTD related strategies
• Ability to speak and write articulately and credibly about programmes for children. Knowledge of the evidence bases on programme design and implementation in maternal and child health and nutrition.WASH/NTD
• Strong working knowledge of impact measurement and programme monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to set priorities, think critically, objectively, and strategically.
• An innovative thinker with a pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to analyse an organisation’s strength of management, vision and adaptive capacity. Ability to recruit, guide, influence and/or advise management teams to effectively implement programmes.
• Experience working within government systems and/or experience informing influencing the policies of government agencies, private sector organizations or donor organisations.
• Effectively champions and promotes causes – credible and professional, they always present the Foundation’s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience.
• Skilled in relationship building and strengthening; able to influence others and work collaboratively, uniting groups with a shared purpose.
• English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role. Written and oral Hindi is an advantage.
• Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness.
• IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• A proven self-starter, who works with pace and resilience.
• Willingness to travel regularly.

Key working relationships

• CIFF departments and teams – across sector teams as well as other departments like CEO’s Office, Programme excellence team, Evidence, Measurement & Evaluation, Organisational Development, IT, Finance, Strategic Engagement and Communications (SEC) and Legal.
• Fielding contacts with CIFF grantees across different geographies
• Fielding contact with Government, private sector; international and national foundations, NGOs, academic institutions and independent experts.

Benefits

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Annual leave – 25 days per annum.
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

Please submit your application on or before 14th February 2025. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.

Salary will be shared if your application is shortlisted.

Our approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CIFF is a place where everyone can grow, develop and fulfil their potential, and we welcome applications from all candidates who meet the requirements of our roles, regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, cultural or ethnic background, disability, marital status, religious identity, or age.

And we are committed to making reasonable accommodations for any prospective or existing CIFF employees with disabilities. If an accommodation is needed to participate in our recruitment process, or to perform essential job functions once in role, please make your recruiter aware so we can ensure you are given the support you need.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements